I was looking at heads to replace the small ones on my LO3. I see that GM has a set of Aluminum Vortech ones dor $569. Pretty good deal? Or are there other heads I should be looking for? Note: I do plan on changing the cam and going carb as well.
Also I heard the Vortech heads will not have the same bolt patterns for my heeaders is this true?

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1 5/8 Hooker Competetion Headers, custom y-pipe,no cat, modified Flowmaster,Edelbrock open filliment filter with K&N filter in it
160 stat, BF G-Force w-rated tires

 

Um if those are the Fastburns then that is the price PER HEAD. I wish new aluminum heads were that much total

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS.6

Got Beach?

 

Whoops your right, i missed that (each)
i was ready to order them right then and there

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1 5/8 Hooker Competetion Headers, custom y-pipe,no cat, modified Flowmaster,Edelbrock open filliment filter with K&N filter in it
160 stat, BF G-Force w-rated tires

 

You need 87 and up, non-LT1, non-Vortec style heads if you want everything to bolt on correctly. If you are going to ditch the intake, you could go with a standard bolt pattern one and get regular small block heads and go with non-center bolt rocker covers - or you could get an intake that matches the Vortec heads, go with Vortec style heads, and retain the center bolt rocker covers. Pretty much three options for ya depending on what intake you want/have......

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

 

Well, the valve covers I have now cost me 120, and they are they 4-centerbolt style, so I 'd rather not have to ditch them. And I have the hooker headers that would have to bolt in too. The intake will be changed, so those two things are the only parts that have to fit.

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1 5/8 Hooker Competetion Headers, custom y-pipe,no cat, modified Flowmaster,Edelbrock open filliment filter with K&N filter in it
160 stat, BF G-Force w-rated tires

 

Headers are a non-issue as the ones you have (any small block chev header) will bolt up to any small block chevrolet head.

So what you have for options at that point is either getting a Vortec style intake (not sure if they make a TBI Vortec style intake so this might require going carbed...) and the Vortec or Fastburn heads, or getting some 87-up non-LT1 style heads (like my Trick Flows !! ) and keeping your regular TBI intake or getting a stock replacement TBI intake like the Edelbrock one. Both of those options will keep the center bolt style rocker cover setup so you won't be wasting those $120 covers .

As for which option gives the most bang for the buck: If they make a Vortec style TBI intake, I would say that one of those intakes and a set of the regular Vortec iron heads would give you some nice results at a small-ish price. On the other end of the money spectrum, if they make one of those Vortec style intakes, go with the Fastburns instead of the iron Vortecs and you will have some heads that are capable of supporting about 500 Naturally Aspirated HP . In the middle of those options you have a set of Trick Flows or Edelbrock stock replacement-style heads which you can reuse the stock intake or get a stock replacement-style intake (I think edelbrock makes a TBI Performer intake....).

The other issue is getting valves that are too big for the 305s bore which is I am not a huge expert onthis but if you get valves that are too big (I would say 2.00 intake valve or bigger, which rules out some of those options......) they will be shrouded by the cylinder wall and flow like a$$.....

Also keep in mind that you can do some grinding on intakes to get them to work with whatever head you end up with. It might suck, but it can be done if money is way tight.........

Hope that helps a bit.....
Good Luck

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

 

Ill spend what it takes to have the componets work properly. And of course a combo that hauls a$$.
I'd like to get to 300HP,or more at the fly with carb, intake, heads and cam.
Does GM make fastburn heads for a 305? or would I have to go with world products torquer ones?

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1 5/8 Hooker Competetion Headers, custom y-pipe,no cat, modified Flowmaster,Edelbrock open filliment filter with K&N filter in it
160 stat, BF G-Force w-rated tires

 

Well, if money is no object, you need to ditch the 305 now as it is just not going to make the same power as a comperably built 350 (or larger) engine. GMPP only makes one Fastburn head for all smallblock applications. I am not sure if the Fastburns will work well on a 305 or not. They have 2.00" intake valves so they might not be shrouded all that bad with a 305 cylinder..... Also keep in mind that they have 62cc chambers so they will lower the compresion ratio on a 305 since 305s have 58cc chambers from the factory - they can be milled a little if need be. They will bolt on a 305 and fit correctly - the only issue is how much the intake valve will be shrouded by the small bore of the 305. I am just not in a position to tell you if they will work well or not on a 305. Overall, I would say that if they will work, the Fastburns would give you the best potential power output. And I would also second the notion of ditching the TBI system and going with a carbed setup (or TPI EFI setup) with whatever set of heads you end up with.

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club